Author Name: Multiple Contributors
(John G. Hartness, Tim Byrd, Ernest Russell, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Mark Bousquet, Thomas R. Skidmore, Nikki Nelson-Hicks, Andrea Judy, Scott Hancock, Joe Hilliard, Herika R. Raymer, Melinda LaFevers, Alexander S. Brown, Joseph Lamere, Lee Houston Junior, Ethan Nahte, Kristi King-Morgan, Jason Holmes, Lou Mougin, Judy Wall Crump, Mark Steinwachs, Nancy Hansen, Chuck Miller, Aaron Smith, I. A. Watson, Neth Williams, Ellie Raine, Lisa Collins, Tommy B. Smith, H. C. Playa, Sean Taylor, M. B. Weston, JC Crumpton, Gordon Dymowski, J. H. Fleming, Jef Hewitt, and Jim D. Gillentine)
Publisher Name: Pro Se Publications
Reviewed By: Jessica B.
ABOUT THE BOOK
WHEN THE SHADOW SEES THE SUN is the realization of a concept of a brilliant creative mind that recognized certain things in himself, dark things. Things he thought he might not overcome. He conceived this idea, partly in jest, but more in earnest desire. A book focused on creative souls who experience depression and struggle with horrors that they exorcise by putting them to paper, but just can’t always let go of that way. He wanted there to be a book out there for creatives (and others who might benefit) by creatives to address the struggles so many endure and to offer ways to cope, to deal, and to move on. To overcome. Logan L. Masterson lost his battle with what plagued him on March 29, 2016. And this book, his idea, is now a reality, to help bring to light the issues creative souls do endure, many similar to anyone else, some unique to our own little family. All proceeds from this book will go to a variety of charities, local as well as state and national, to promote suicide intervention and prevention as well as to assist with working through and surviving depression, with a focus being on those who are artists, writers, performers, etc. affected by this. In these pages, the authors tear open their souls for you to read. And make no mistake. This book is about and because of Logan L. Masterson.
MY REVIEW
Rating: 5/5
Writing has the ability to move mountains. To move people. And that is exactly what this collection does. It moves people. It moves people to think differently about their life, to think differently about others around them. It moves people to appreciate the small things in life, even when times are tough. It moves people to help one another, to look beyond textbook definitions and stereotypes, and to help the person inside. It moves people to live.
Each addition to When the Shadow Sees the Sun, is its own personal journey filled with raw emotion. The themes explored in each are similar in nature: you are not alone; don’t give up; find your outlet; find your support system; choose life over death. Yet each author has a different experience, one that helps others truly learn what it means to be depressed. Each tells their journey is a way comfortable for them. For some that is through poetry, others through memories, but each is a reflection on their life and how being a ‘creative,’ has helped them to live another day. Words possess so much power, and each contributor to this collection has discovered that power in one form or another. The overpowering message is to reach out to others in similar situations, to help them find their creative outlet, whatever it may be, and to let them know that they are not the only one and that they can be helped.
These stories are not easy to read. But they are necessary to read. Sales from the book go to helping people with mental illness through intervention and prevention. But that is not the reason why people should pick up this book. Readers will not be disappointed as they turn the page from one story to the next, from one life to the next. Not all of them will affect the reader in the same way or with the same magnitude, but they will have an impact. It is books like When the Shadow Sees the Sun, that make me realize the true power words can have on life.
Amazon Link
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.